What is Domestic Violence???

Domestic Violence is defined as a pattern of behavior that one person systematically uses to gain and maintain power and control over another person within a relationship.

The violence and abuse can take many forms, from physical violence to emotional, financial and/or sexual abuse as well. Abusers at times manipulate victims so that they feel that they're to blame for the abuse. Abusers may seem remorseful and promise to change their behavior, but often these promises are only attempts to keep an individual from leaving the relationship.

The term Domestic Violence often is misunderstood to mean violence between spouses or intimate partners, whether or not they live together. Domestic Violence can occur in any relationship with a partner, family member, caregiver, roommate. Domestic Violence occurs across all cultures regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, religion, wealth, and geography.

Domestic Violence can happen to you or anyone you know, and because of this no one has the right to abuse and no one deserves to be abused. Become aware of the signs of Domestic Violence and take a stand to support victims and survivors of Domestic Violence.

If you or someone you know need to talk about the dynamics of your relationship please call the Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project 24hr hotline at 1.800.832.1901. Our hotline is completely confidential and you can remain anonymous. Take the next steps by visiting our website at www.gmdvp.orgor giving one of our advocates a call at 1.800.832.1901.

1 in 4 gay men experience domestic violence. Call us for Support, Shelter, information and referrals, or just to talk.

A lot of domestic violence goes on here in the family of RJ to, with verbal abuse, in an attempt to silence another, to repress them, to make them feel dumb and small too. To belittle them, because they may not have the same agenda in life as you. Then they make you feel you're in the wrong too; sad insecure little people really.

Pattison saidA lot of domestic violence goes on here in the family of RJ to, with verbal abuse, in an attempt to silence another, to repress them, to make them feel dumb and small too. To belittle them, because they may not have the same agenda in life as you. Then they make you feel you're in the wrong too; sad insecure little people really.

No, that's harassment. You need to actually be in some sort of relationship for domestic violence to occur.